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Lawrence J. Phillips 1930-2022

YOUNGSTOWN — Lawrence J. Phillips, 92, of the city’s West Side, passed away peacefully, Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2022, at Briarfield at Ashley Circle.

Lawrence was born, May 27, 1930, in Youngstown, a son of the late Stefan Phillips and Veronica Janjic Phillips, and was a lifelong West Sider.

He was a 1947 graduate of Chaney High School and worked as a crane operator at United States Steel Ohio Works until the mill closed. Larry then worked at the Tupperware Distribution Center until retiring in 1998.

Mr. Phillips was a member of the former Holy Name of Jesus Church and currently was a member of St. Christine Church.

Larry was affectionately known to his friends and family as “Gumps.” He enjoyed bowling and was an avid bowler for most of his life. Gumps also enjoyed playing cards, reading, visiting the casinos, and watching old Westerns, especially John Wayne movies. Larry’s family was very important to him, and he enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family most of all.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Lawrence J. Phillips Jr. of Longwood, Fla.; his daughter, Kathleen (Kevin) Schmidt of Austintown; nine grandchildren, Felicia (Shane), Kira, Jamie (Sam), Katie, Marci, Krista, Dylan, Matthew and Sean; three great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jenny and Jace; two sisters, Virginia Ferguson of Sterling Heights, Mich. and Dorothy Aikens of Minnesota; a brother, Robert Phillips of East Braintree, Mass.; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Phillips of Youngstown.

His wife of 65 years, the former Agnes M. Hudak, whom he married Jan. 2, 1954, passed away March 23, 2019.

Two sons, Mark Phillips and Jeffrey Phillips; four brothers, John, Steve, Raymond and Richard Phillips; a sister, Marion Kaler; and a daughter-in-law, Sally Phillips, also preceded Larry in death.

Family and friends may gather to pay respects from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at St. Christine Church, 3165 S. Schenley Ave., Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Inurnment will take place at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Larry will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Agnes.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown. Please visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to view and share this obituary and to send condolences to Larry’s family.

(special notice)